Blood Donor Testing laboratory section is made up of Blood Group Serology Laboratory and Infectious Diseases Testing Laboratories.
The core function of this section is to screen every unit of blood collected from a donor for blood group type and infectious disease markers to ensure safety of our blood supply prior to transfusion. Using highly sensitive testing procedures and sophisticated automated system, all blood donations are screened for the following blood-borne pathogens:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
- Syphilis
- Malaria (for selected at-risk units)
- Bacterial contamination in platelet concentrates
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Antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and 2 (Anti-HIV -1 & 2), Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis C Virus (Anti-HCV)
Chemiluminescence's Immunoassay is the method use for the detection of the presence of antibodies directed against the antigens of HIV-1, HIV -2 viruses, Hepatitis C Virus and Hepatitis B surface antigen.
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Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT)
Besides screening for the serological markers of the HIV, HBV and HCV viruses, the genomic materials (DNA or RNA) of the three types of viruses are also test for by using transcription-medicated amplification based molecular assay on fully automated platform for high throughput testing.
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Antibodies to Treponema Pallidum for Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), caused by spiral-shaped spirochete bacterium, Treponema pallidum. Indirect haeaggultination test is use for the detection of anti-treponemal antibodies.
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Malaria
Malaria is a parasite infection caused by Plasmodium species which is transmitted by female Anopheles mosquito. Molecular test by real-time polymerase chain reaction is currently use for the detection of malarial parasite infection in donations from donors who have malaria exposure risk.
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Bacterial Contamination
Platelet concentrates are kept at 22'C which is conducive for bacterial growth. Bacterial contamination testing is carried out on all platelet component collected prior to release for transfusion by using the bacterial culture method.
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